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The Transport Workers Union Local 234 is reportedly preparing a SEPTA strike in case upcoming contract negotiations don't go in its favor, according to Philadelphia magazine which cited a TWU memo. Four SEPTA contracts are set to expire on April 7.

“If negotiations fail,” reads a memo sent by TWU Local 234 to its members on Monday, “the unions representing SEPTA workers may all be on strike at the same time, idling bus, trolley, train and regional rail service for the first time ever.”

There's more:

WU Local 234 is the largest and most powerful of the 17 unions representing SEPTA workers. Where it goes, so go the other unions. The four contracts in question cover approximately 5,400 workers. The first contract set to expire is the TWU City Division, which includes city buses and subways. That division has 4,713 members.

According to the memo, Local 234 president Willie Brown "told SEPTA at the bargaining table [that] the Authority's chances of getting such outrageous concessions are 'as likely as a fish drowning.'"

"Given SEPTA's total disregard for the well-being of our members and their families, Local 234 is now stepping up its preparations for a strike," the memo continues. Union representatives have contacted local supermarkets to "arrange for discounted food" for TWU members and their families should a SEPTA strike ensue.

A TWU spokesperson could not be immediately reached for comment. Is the union just leaking the information to its members and the press to put pressure on SEPTA? That remains to be seen. In the Philadelphia magazine story, a SEPTA spokesperson said the last thing the transportation authority wants is a labor stoppage and says negotiations are ongoing.

SEPTA last had a strike in 2009 which lasted for six days. Perhaps the most famous SEPTA strike was in 1983, when it had a railroad strike of 108 days.

Stay with PBJ.com for more on this developing story.